Prevention of weight gain in young adults through a seminar-based intervention program

Abstract

Objective: Prevention would be the ideal public health strategy to face the current obesity epidemic. Adoption of healthy lifestyles during the first years of college or university could prevent the onset of weight gain associated with this period of acquired independence and eventually decrease the incidence of obesity. Design: Randomized-controlled trial over a period of 2 years. The subjects received an educational/behavioral intervention (small group seminars) designed to help maintain a healthy lifestyle or no specific intervention (control group). Subjects: One-hundred and fifteen non-obese freshmen in a Faculty of Medicine. Measurements: Anthropometric measurements, physical activity level, fitness level, food intake and lipid profile were recorded at predetermined intervals. Results: The control group gained weight, whereas the intervention group lost a slight amount of weight over 2 years. The difference between the two groups was 1.3 kg at the end of the follow-up, the trend of weight gain differing between the two groups during the 2-year intervention period (P ¼ 0.04). There was no detectable difference in fitness, physical activity level or total caloric intake between the two groups during follow-up. However, plasma triglyceride levels increased in the control group and decreased in the intervention group (P ¼ 0.04). Conclusion: In this randomized-controlled trial, a small-group seminar educational/behavioral intervention successfully prevents weight gain in normal weight young healthy university students. Such small absolute changes in body composition and lipid profile, if maintained over a prolonged period, could result in significant long-term health benefits for the general population (ClinicalTrial.gov registration number: NCT00306449).

A systematic review of interventions aimed at the prevention of weight gain in adults

“…In other studies, the activity advice was not clearly reported (12,13,16) . Three studies reported no significant difference in physical activity between groups (13)(14)(15) . One reported no change in fitness but a change in self-reported physical activity (12) .…”

“…Usual physical activity was measured using the Canadian Fitness Survey (one study (13) ), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ; one study (18) ) and the Paffenbarger Questionnaire (three studies (15,17,22) ) or an adapted questionnaire (two studies (14,22) ), while four studies used pedometers or motion sensors (17,18,20,22) . Multiple measures of physical activity were used in three studies (13,18,22) . Prescriptive advice on activity was used in three studies which aimed for an energy expenditure of 4200-6300 kJ/ week (1000-1500 kcal/week) or to walk or run four times weekly, and were coupled with ongoing consultation or support to help achieve the activity goals (15,17,22) .…”

Combinations of techniques that effectively change health behavior: Evidence from Meta-CART analysis.

“…The techniques most frequently used were Prompt intention formation, Provide instruction, and Provide information on consequences (see Table 1). Among the remaining 22 techniques, the interventions included an average of six techniques, ranging from none (Hivert, Langlois, Berard, Cuerrier, & Carpentier, 2007) to 13 (Burke, Giangiulio, Gillam, Beilin, & Houghton, 2003).…”

Genetic susceptibility testing for chronic disease and intention for behavior change in healthy young adults

“…Behavior change intervention studies targeting the diet and exercise habits of young healthy adults have had mixed results over short follow-up periods (Tully and Cupples 2011;Hivert et al 2007;Calfas et al 2000;Gokee LaRose et al 2010;Jeffery and French 1999;Levine et al 2007;Eiben and Lissner 2005;Lee et al 2011;Poobalan et al 2010). Behavior change interventions personalized to the risk factors, needs, and preferences of individuals have had modest success in preventing weight gain (Gokee LaRose et al 2010;Eiben and Lissner 2005;Lee et al 2011).…”